UCLan announces new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerry Kelleher

01 March 2013

Press Office

Professor Gerry Kelleher appointed to the top position

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan UK) has appointed Professor Gerry Kelleher as its new Vice-Chancellor.

Brian Harris, Chair of the University Board, said: “I am delighted to announce that following a thorough recruitment process, the University Board has appointed Professor Gerry Kelleher to the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“I know that all members of the University community will congratulate Gerry on his appointment and will look forward to welcoming him to the University.”

“I look forward to meeting and working with students and staff at this pivotal time in UCLan’s development”

Professor Kelleher, from Blackburn, said: “I am delighted to be joining UCLan as its new Vice-Chancellor and have already experienced the passion and purpose of the University Board and Directorate. There is clearly a shared vision that will enable us to realise our ambitions locally, nationally and internationally.”

The married father-of-two added: “I look forward to meeting and working with students and staff at this pivotal time in UCLan’s development. Together there is no limit to what we can achieve in the months and years ahead.”

Professor Kelleher is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at Manchester Metropolitan University – a very large civic University with one of the largest undergraduate student cohorts in the UK. He is responsible for strategic planning, research, knowledge exchange, recruitment, marketing, international and line management of Deans and Faculties.

“I know that all members of the University community will congratulate Gerry on his appointment and will look forward to welcoming him to the University”

Prior to this role, Professor Kelleher was a Pro Vice-Chancellor at Liverpool John Moores University. His career includes several years in the software industry in the UK and Europe working on planning, scheduling and logistics.

Professor Kelleher has spent a significant period of his career in the North West HEI community and in his early career he was an academic and Research Fellow at the universities of Warwick and Leeds. He is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence, and until recently was an active researcher.

Professor Kelleher will join the University during the summer of 2013.